China could quadruple share of renewable energy by 2030

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says that China can increase its use of renewable energy from 13% to 26% by 2030, representing a near fourfold increase in the share of modern renewables between 2010 and 2030. 

The report, Renewable Energy Prospects: China from IRENA and the China National Renewable Energy Centre, also says that China can expand renewables in the power sector from 20% to 40% by 2030, which would make it the world’s largest renewable energy user.

The report forms part of IRENA’s renewable energy roadmap, REmap 2030, which provides a plan to double the share of renewable energy in the world’s energy mix by 2030. 

With current policies in place, the share of renewables in China’s energy mix will rise to 17% by 2030. REmap 2030 estimates that an annual investment of $145bn is needed between now and 2030 in renewable energy technologies to reach the 26% renewables mark – an annual increase of $54bn beyond business-as-usual. The report estimates that the higher share will result in annual savings when factoring human health benefits from reduced air pollution, and carbon emission costs. 

China installed more renewable energy capacity in 2013 than Europe and the remaining Asia Pacific region combined. It is also a major exporter of renewable energy technology, accounting for two-thirds of global solar panel production, says IRENA.

‘As the largest energy consumer in the world, China must play a pivotal role in the global transition to a sustainable energy future,’ said Adnan Z Amin, Director-General of IRENA. ‘China’s energy use is expected to increase 60% by 2030. How China meets that need will determine whether or not the world can curb climate change.’